(The following story by Clay Bailey appeared on the Commercial Appeal website on December 3.)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Tuesday morning car-train collision on Kirby Parkway near Poplar Pike has resurrected the question of warning arms at the Norfolk Southern crossing.
A 78-year-old Memphis man driving a 2002 red Cadillac DeVille became stuck on the tracks about 9:25 a.m. as he waited to turn left from southbound Kirby Parkway to eastbound Poplar Pike, Germantown police said.
Charles M. Brejot was airlifted from the scene. He was in critical condition at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The crossing is one of only two in Germantown without crossing arms and has been the site of at least a half-dozen vehicle-train collisions since 1995. Each time brings another call from neighbors for crossing gates at the junction.
Many wrecks, like Tuesday’s, occur when southbound vehicles trying to turn onto Poplar Pike are trapped on the tracks. Witnesses told police the man was not able to put the car in reverse when he noticed the train coming.
Police said the crossing signals were flashing, the bell was sounding and the train’s horn blaring at the time of the collision. There also is a sign warning drivers not to stop on the tracks.
The collision on the passenger side lifted the car before slamming it into the pole holding the flashing lights and signal for northbound traffic.
The tracks are located in Germantown adjacent to the Memphis border with the suburb. The proximity led to fire and police departments from both cities responding.
Germantown City Administrator Patrick Lawton said Tuesday that after years of discussions, he expects erection of the arms by the middle of next year. Funding is in place, but median work north of the tracks is necessary because one of the standards for the signals and crossing arms will be in the middle of the intersection.